At a Glance
- The storm struck the U.S. from New Mexico to New England, affecting 140 million people.
- More than 11,000 flights were canceled across the country.
- The storm dumped a 1 foot of snow in parts of the Northeast.
- 95,000 power outages were reported nationwide.
The storm that swept across the United States this weekend was one of the most powerful winter events in recent memory. With heavy snow, catastrophic ice, and record-low temperatures, it disrupted travel, knocked out power, and forced governments to declare emergencies.
Travel Disruptions
All flights were halted at Oklahoma’s Will Rogers International Airport for the entire day, with a second wave of cancellations on Sunday morning. FlightAware data shows that 4,000 flights were canceled Saturday and 7,600 on Sunday, affecting major hubs such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Nashville, and Charlotte.
> “All Saturday flights were canceled at Will Rogers International Airport… officials aimed to restart service Sunday afternoon,” said a spokesperson for the airport.
The cancellations were not limited to the South. Airports across the Midwest, Northeast, and West Coast reported significant disruptions, and passengers were forced to reroute or postpone trips.
Key Airports Affected
| Airport | Flights Canceled (Saturday) |
|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth | 1,200 |
| Nashville International | 850 |
| Charlotte Douglas | 900 |
| Will Rogers (OKC) | 1,500 |
(Values are estimates based on FlightAware data.)
Power and Infrastructure
The storm’s ice and sleet caused widespread damage. Ice-coated trees and power lines fell in many regions, leading to a record number of outages.
> “All of the power lines are above ground, so it doesn’t take very much to end up in the dark,” said Chris Plank, a Little Rock resident.
95,000 power outages were reported nationwide, with 36,000 in Texas and 10,000 in Virginia alone. The Midwest experienced wind chills as low as -40 °F, while Rhinelander, Wisconsin, recorded -36 °F, the coldest in almost 30 years.
Ice-Removal Efforts
Georgia’s Department of Transportation deployed 1,800 workers on 12-hour shifts to treat highways with brine.
> “We’re going to do what we can to keep the ice from sticking to the roads,” said Commissioner Russell McMurry.
The state also advised residents in northern regions to stay off roads by sundown Saturday and prepare for at least 48 hours of isolation.
Human Stories
The storm forced many to adjust their plans. Angela Exstrom, who had been scheduled to fly from Houston to Omaha, had to reroute via Los Angeles after her flight was canceled.
> “If you live in the Midwest and travel in the winter, stuff can happen,” she said.
In Little Rock, Arkansas, residents like Chris Plank were unsure whether they could drive to Dallas for work. He remembered only three ice storms in the past 20 years, making this one feel unprecedented.
> “All of the power lines are above ground… it doesn’t take very much to end up in the dark,” Plank added.
In Bismarck, North Dakota, where the wind chill hit -41 °F, Colin Cross had to bundle in layers to clean an empty apartment unit.
> “I’ve been here awhile and my brain stopped working,” Cross said.
Non-profit groups also stepped in. The Orange Tent Project, a Chicago nonprofit, checked on unhoused individuals who could not seek shelter.
> “Seeing the forecasted weather, I knew we had to come out and do this today,” said CEO Morgan McLuckie.
Government Response
President Donald Trump announced on social media that the administration was coordinating with state and local officials and that FEMA was “fully prepared to respond.”
Nine states requested emergency declarations, with Trump approving those for South Carolina and Virginia. Requests from Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia were pending as of Saturday morning.
> “FEMA is fully prepared to respond,” Trump said.
Governments also urged people to stay home. Governors in more than a dozen states declared emergencies or urged residents to stay indoors.
Aftermath and Recovery
The storm’s aftermath will be long-lasting. Ice adds weight to power lines and branches, making them more likely to snap, especially if wind persists.
In the cultural realm, churches moved Sunday services online, and the Grand Ole Opry performed its Saturday night radio show without fans. Mardi Gras parades in Louisiana were canceled or rescheduled.
Schools also faced closures. Superintendents in Philadelphia and Houston announced that schools would be closed Monday. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Mississippi’s main campus in Oxford canceled classes for Monday.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Saturday | Over 11,000 flights canceled; 95,000 power outages reported |
| Saturday | Georgia advises residents to stay off roads by sundown |
| Saturday | President Trump announces FEMA readiness |
| Sunday | Flights begin to resume at Oklahoma’s largest airport |
| Monday | Schools closed in multiple states |
The storm’s legacy will be felt for weeks, as communities work to clear ice, restore power, and rebuild infrastructure.
Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida, Rio Yamat in Las Vegas and Laura Bargfeld in Chicago contributed to this report. Robert K. Lawson reported from Atlanta and Robert K. Lawson reported from Hartford, Conn.
